A third tier Football League match would not normally be the place where you expect to see two music icons spending New Year’s Day but that was what happened at Vicarage Road 50 years ago.

A Watford Observer photographer captured these classic pictures of Elton John and Rod Stewart sharing a light-hearted moment on the first day of 1974.

It is not immediately apparent where the pictures were taken, but a closer examination of the images shows the future Watford owner and chairman holding what appears to be the matchday programme for a game against Southend United.

Elton John and Rod Stewart at Vicarage Road on New Year's Day, 1974Elton John and Rod Stewart at Vicarage Road on New Year's Day, 1974 (Image: Watford Observer)

This was the first fixture Mike Keen’s side played in the new year when an attendance of 8,195 watched Billy Jennings score the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory for the Hornets.

The programme Elton is holding is for the game against Southend UnitedThe programme Elton is holding is for the game against Southend United (Image: Watford Observer)

The two music legends were back at Vicarage Road later in 1974, this time sharing the stage during the first concert Elton played at the home of the Hornets.